The Wapanucka Press Jul 1902 - Johnston County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Mary Achterhof 27 Jan 2008 Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.htm ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== The Wapanucka Press, 3 July 1902 Earl M. Stewart was arrested at Norman recently on a charge of stealing a horse from a blind man by the name of Ritch. In default of $800 bail he was landed in jail. Bound Over for Killing A Horse Ardmore: Thomas Devereaux, an Irishman 70 years of age is in jail charged with stealing a horse. Devereaux had a preliminary trail before Judge Robnett. From the testimony it seems that J. H. Mogg lost a horse on June 23 and the animal was found in the woods shot to death. A pistol was found at Devereaux’s house with one chamber empty. A little blood was found on his leg, and near where the horse was killed there was an abundance of coarse sand, some of which was found in Deveraux’s shoe. The judge bound him over in the sum of $500 to await the action of the grand jury. LOCAL ITEMS E. J. Ball is arranging to ship a car load of steers soon. C. L. Witte’s baby has been quite sick this week, J. W. Wooden who recently was in business here, has opened a store in South McAlester. Mrs. Charles McClendon of Connersville, was visiting Mrs. J. H. McClendon yesterday. Lee Hogg of Ego was in the city Wednesday buying barb wire of Roberts, Jackson & Co. Dr. Renegar, of Memphis, has permanently located here, and is officing at the Palace Drug Store. Joe Maytubby returned yesterday from Tishomingo. Alex Fields’ horse fell while riding near Ego last week, breaking Fields’ leg. Deputy Sheriff Dave Hodges of Lehigh, was here yesterday collecting Indian taxes. Perry Millard the popular stone mason and contractor, says he has some good things on foot for Wapanucka. Col. W. L. Richards and Cisero Skeen went to Little Rock Tuesday for the purpose of securing a reduction in freight rates. Sam Shipley says his big corn field with forty or more bushels on every acre, makes a fellow from Tennessee smile all the way up from half way back. Dr. F. M. Patterson is preparing to open his cotton yard at the first of the season. It will be called the Public Cotton Yard. Miss Lillie Powers who has been teaching school in the eastern part of the nation returned home Friday. J. Brooks Wright left Saturday for Hartshorne where he goes to work in the engineering office of the C. O. & G. Railroad. S. O. Wright came in from Coalgate Wednesday. T. J. Stratton, Will York and others, from Kittie, were here Monday. Tom Mercer and family attended the wedding of Miss Callie Cope at Cope Sunday. W. J. Harris was in the city Saturday. He says the crops in Wells Valley are very fine. The young folks enjoyed a fine dance Wednesday night. Tom Maxey came out from Coalgate and assisted in making the music. Col. W. L. Richard and Cisero Skeen have returned from Little Rock. The Colonel says that the railroad officials promises to give Wapanucka good freight rates. J. C. Fahrney, a prominent farmer from Boggy Dept was doing business in the city today. Deputy Criswell and possemen went down 7 miles east of Boggy Depot last Thursday night and arrested Ben and Peter Bynington, full bloods, charged with violating the Arkansas law relating to taking hogs without the consent of the owner thereof. The Wapanucka Press, 10 July 1902 LOCAL ITEMS W. Z. Gibson is in Coalgate this week. John Ellis went to Haileyville Tuesday. W. J Bond went to Atoka yesterday. J. B. Reams went to Mannsville yesterday. W. A. McAlester of Lehigh was in the city on business Tuesday. A fine boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Benson Monday. Dal Powers who has been in Oklahoma for the past two years, came home last week. Dock Beachamp who has been very sick with typhoid fever is much better. Tom Frame of Davis was in the city this week looking after business interets. Miss Irene Hickman, who has been visiting her sister Mrs. Os Stevens, left Tuesday for Coalgate. Clyde Cox and wife came over from Mill Creek Tuesday and will visit relatives and friends here for some time. G. M. Stobaugh, one of the bustling Reams Valley farmers says he will gather a thousand bushels of corn this year. W. L. Morgan and wife, of Stringtown are visiting M. F. Foster father of Mrs. Morgan. C. L. Witte and Jack Ramsey made a trip south Tuesday for the Commercial Club visiting committee. Mr. Wolverton and wife returned from a visit from Ardmore Tuesday. Mrs. Harrison, of Commerce, Texas arrived in the city Saturday and is visiting her daughter, Mrs. John C. Attaway. She expresses herself as very much delighted with our city. R. E. Wade made a business trip to Milburn Monday. At Marlow, lightning struck the residence of Captain C. S. Clark, killing Mrs. Clark instantly and stunning two children who are in critical condition and badly stunning Captain Clark. Will Be Tried in December for Murder South McAlester: Postmaster Charles Collard and Dr. George S. Beatty, who were recently captured at Decatur, Texas, and indicated for the murder of “Gyp” Railey, a traveling salesman at Kiowa, I. T., are confined in the federal jail here awaiting trial next December. AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS An Escaped Convict From Arkansas Penitentiary Caught at South McAlester South McAlester – Robert Hamlet, who escaped from the Arkansas state penitentiary fourteen years ago after having served two months on a four year’s term for larceny, was sent back to complete his term. His arrest was something unusual in the history of Indian Territory crime. Hamlet had been at Atoka, living under the name of Robert Anderson. He and Ches Hamlet were recently arrested for burglary of some outbuilding around Atoka. The government was somewhat fearful of its ability to make a strong case against them and was surprised at an offer by Ches Hamlet to plead guilty. An investigation revealed the true name of Anderson and brought out the fact that the two prisoners were brothers. Further inquiry threw light on Hamlet’s history and the reason for the sacrifice the brother was making became clear. Without revealing what he had discovered District Attorney Wilkins accepted Ches Hamlet’s plea of guilty and he was given two years and a half. A faithful description of his brother was sent to the warden of the Arkansas penitentiary and the latter wired that the man was wanted, a $50 reward still standing for his recapture. Hamlet at first denied his identity, but finally gave in nd with curses of his “usual luck” accompanied the officer back to Arkansas to begin on the tern he had cut short fourteen years ago. KILLED AT A DANCE Jealous Husband Shoots Man who Danced With His Wife. Asher: At a dance west of Adell, one Tomlinson shot and killed a young man named Lester Vinson. There had been a dance at Tomlinson’s residence and it seems as though Tomlinson became jealous of the young men because of their dancing with his wife, after firing two or three shots in the house he turned and shot young Vinson, who was standing in the door with a young man named Phillips. The ball passed through his left arm, entering his side below the heart. He died in about twenty minutes. Tomlinson left the scene of the killing, saying he was going to Tecumseh to give himself up, but was later arrested at Wanette. Vinson was a quiet young man of good standing and had many friends. TWO MURDERERS SENTENCED Ardmore: In the federal court Judge Townsend sentenced James Revers convicted of the murder of Henry Johnson, near Berwyn, to life imprisonment at Fort Leavenworth. John Rawles, convicted of Killing Sam Bushard received a ten year sentence. SHOT A DEPUTY MARSHAL Ardmore: While driving along the road between Tishomingo and Emet with his little daughter, Deputy Marshal Bridges of this place, unexpectedly came upon four horse thieves who took his gun away from him. One of the men shot the officer just below the shoulder, causing a severe flesh wound. Only two of the men took part in the attack upon the officer and they escaped, the others being captured. A posse is in pursuit of the two men who escaped. Charles M. Crowell, our hustling insurance writer, made a business trip to Ardmore this week. The Wapanucka Press, 17 July 1902 TO BURN HERSELF AND BABY The Attempt Made by a Mother at Fort Cobb, Oklahoma Guthrie: It is reported from Fort Cobb that an attempt was made by Mrs. George Thomas to kill both herself and baby by setting fire to a pile of hay which she saturated with coal oil. This occurred early in the morning before the members of the family were aware of her intentions. She was rescued by an older daughter just as she was mounting the burning pile with the baby in her arms. FIRE AT NORMAN Nearly an Entire Block of Business Section Goes Up in Smoke Norman: This city has been visited with the most disastrous fire in its history. A $50,000 fire, consuming almost an entire block started in a restaurant on the south side of Main Street. With a high wind and a scarcity of water the fire department were unable to do much except to keep the fire from spreading across the street. Several times fire broke out across the street, but heroic work kept it down. Nearly all the plate glass fronts were destroyed, but aside from that, little damage was done. During the fire an appeal was made on the Oklahoma City Fire Department for assistance, but owing to lack of transportation facilities was unable to respond. At Durant, I. T., Arthur Briscoe was filled in a duel with other parties. The fatal shot is supposed to have been fired by Ilus Wyatt, who had been knocked down by another Briscoe. YOUNG GIRLS AWFUL DEATH A Maddened Steer Ran Horns Through Body Okemah: A child near here met a horrible death. The girl’s mother sent the children across a pasture to a store at Okemah. When she got about half way across the pasture she was attacked by a steer. The steer chased the girl some distance, finally pushing her down and ran his horn through the girl’s body. Her screams brought people to her rescue. Men ran from Okemah with guns and clubs, and others on horseback tried to rope the infuriated animal, but could not. Finally a man got near enough with his Winchester to shoot the steer, which he did. The animal fell dead, but when the child was reached she was also dead. People who saw the horrible sight say they never will forget it. OVERCOME BY GAS Chickasha: While digging a well near the cemetery E. Dunlap was instantly killed. After a blast had been fired he was lowered into the well by his brother-in-law, William Mills. He asked to be drawn up and when near the top fell, breaking his neck. It is supposed He was overcome by the gas. LOCAL ITEMS Mr. Stroud’s little child continues very sick. S. L. Barnes went to Roff last week on business. C. M. Crowell returned Thursday from a trip to Ardmore. Don Sowers and S. O. Wright went to Coalgate Monday. Mr. Turman and family of Ardmore, are attending the barbecue. J. D. Messer returned form Weleetkee Monday. Mrs. J. J. Clark of Pontotoc is at the barbecue today. J. A. Jackson and wife were here from Lehigh Tuesday. Dr. Hanna and family were at the barbecue from Pontotoc. Mrs. Barnes, niece of S. L. Barnes left Friday for her home in Texas. John Ellis and family returned from Holdenville Monday. Price Stattler, of Jesse, attending the barbecue. Judge G. J. Ralls, of Atoka, was at the barbecue today. W. J. Bond returned from a business trip to Muskogee Friday. Mrs. Owens, of South McAlester, is visiting her sister Mrs. W. J. Bond. Col. D. H. Linebaugh, of Atoka was in attendance at the barbecue today. George W. Harris, prominent lawyer of Tishomingo was at the barbecue today. Hon. A. Telle was among the Atoka people who were at the barbecue today. J. D. Lankford was among the prominent Atoka people at the barbecue today. Prof. J. G. Attaway, who is teaching school at Jesse, has been in the city all the week. Mrs. Allen and children of Corsicana, are in the city visiting her sister, Mrs. W. H. Ball. A fine boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Emery Walton last Friday. Mother and babe doing well. Bob Williamson and family and sister, Maggie, are visiting in the city this week with Os Stevens. J. L. Thomas, who lives six miles east of town, is a good as engineer as can be found in this country. Mrs. T. M. Binnion of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, is visiting her mother, Mrs. J. J. Read, in the city this week. A. B. Sanders, the clever postmaster at Viola, was in the city Tuesday. He reports everything prospers in his town. Miss Hester Wilcox, of Boyd, Texas, arrived in the city this week for a visit with her sister, Mrs. Emery Walton. J. O. Mace and family of Grundyville, Texas, is here visiting Mr. and Mrs. A. Lancaster, parents of Mrs. Mace. A M. Williams went to Pauls Valley and Davis last week. His daughter Mrs. Boyte, of Pauls Valley returned with him for a visit. Miss Lillah P. Read, daughter of Mrs. J. J. Read, has returned from Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she has been at school for the past two years. E. G. Smith, a prominent business man of Amery, Mississippi, was in the city this week looking with a view of engaging in a dry goods business. John Enfield has returned from a two weeks visit at Clarinda, Iowa. He was accompanied by his brother J. D. Enfield who will remain sometime. Dr. Stevenson of Hunton was at the barbecue today. Mrs. E. J. Dailey, of Coalgate, was at the barbecue today. J. F. McClatchy was over from Ardmore attending the barbecue. Charles Witter of Guthrie, brother-in-law to Os Stevens is in the city this week. Mr. Allen, of Commerce, Texas, is here visiting Bob Harrison and Mrs. John C. Attaway. Prof. H. J. Blinker, representing the Grayson College, Whitewright, Texas, was at the barbecue. C. E. Durham, of Conway, Arkansas, is here visiting his brother Mr. Durham, of the dry goods store of Durham, Walton & Co. F. W. Warner and wife, of Oklahoma City, were in the city Monday. Mr. Warner represents the John Deere Machine Co. and is also interested in the large hardware firm of Roberts, Jackson & Co. of this city. John Ellis and W. L. Richards, in charge of the construction of the four new building on Choctaw Avenue, have brought in the first two loads of fine marble from six miles west of town with which they intend to trim and finish the buildings. W. T. Kelley and wife of Texas were here during the picnic visiting Bob Harrison. CARD OF THANKS The Ladies Union Benevolent Society extend their thanks to Mr. W. L. Richards for lots 4 and 5 in block 67 donated us; also extend thanks to Messrs. J. J. Richardson, and Bud Johnson for the use of a booth during the picnic; and to all others who so kindly assisted us in making our recent “guessing contest a success.” We are glad to state that we cleared $31.20 on said contest. L. U. B. Society W. C . Williamson is thinking of moving to Wapanucka. Troy Tribune Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Robertson, accompanied by Mr. Ralph Tate, and Miss Rudd, attended the hop here last Friday night from Wapanucka. Caddo Hearld LOCAL ITEMS Roddie Jones is suffering with typhoid fever. J. G. Addington and daughter too in the reunion at Ardmore this week. E. S. Miller and wife and little children left Monday to visit in Texas. Marry Musgrave, Fred Criswell and Jim Smith went to Boggy Depot last Monday. John M. Hodges, candidate for representative on the Hunter ticket, was out looking after his political interests. Mrs. Huston, wife of James Huston who resides on the Reams farm south of town, died Wednesday morning of typhoid fever. J. M. Sherman, of Cisco, Texas, is in the city this week, prospecting with a view of building a large flour mill at Wapanucka. Wyatt Tanner has purchased an interest in the Rushing Meat Market and the firm has moved the shop up on Main Street in the old Ralph stand. Strayed or stolen – one black pony mare, six years old, branded OBY on left thigh. Liberal reward for information. W. L. Lee, Wapanucka, I. T. C. A. Skeen and children went to Ardmore the first of the week to attend the reunion. The Judge was one of the principal orators of the occasion. A. A. Faulk treated Dr. Roach and the Press man to a fine quenn musk melon Tuesday, presented to him by T. G. Daffern. It was a fine melon and we are thankful to be the above gentlemen for the treat. The following were among those who attended the reunion at Ardmore this week: Dr. Renegar, B. F. Stroud, Dol Powers, M. G. Powers and daughter, Miss Lillie, Mrs. Loomis and children. Deputy Criswell arrested Ponney and Rolling Williams, colored, two miles east of town Monday, charged with stealing a horse from Sloan Bond. They were carried to Atoka and Ponney was bound over. Rolling was discharged. Col. Charles M. Crowell happened to the very bad misfortune last Friday evening of loosing $50 in currency. He believes to lost it between the Palace Drug Store and C. A. Skeen’s store. The editor, in company with J. M. Crabtree one of the best fellows that ever came from Arkansas, took a trip east of the city Monday. We went to the home of Mr. Frank Swaffard who lives about 4 miles south of Lehigh. There we were permitted, through the courtesy of that hospitable family, to stretch our brogans under a table and partake of a genuine good dinner which Mrs. Swaffard had so ably prepared. At Mr. Swaffard’s we saw the best corn we have seen this year which will easily produce fifty bushels per acre. All the section of country has fine crops this year. Dr. A. A. Taylor and city Recorder R. O. Rose went to Ardmore today. Dr. Taylor goes to meet representatives of the factory to buy additional machinery for his ginery, and Mr. Rose goes down to take in the reunion. Mrs. Pearl Clay, daughter of Mrs. Barnes, proprietress of the Ohio Hotel, arrived yesterday evening. She will remain during the summer. During the excitement of the barbecue last week we forgot to chronicle the arrival of a fine young boy at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. N. Juhan. All parties doing well, even Mr. Juhan. W. R. Underwood, of Stonewall, and J. W. Byrd, of Jesse were trading in the city yesterday. They both subscribed for the Press. The Wapanucka Press, 31 July 1902 WAPANUCKA ROLLER MILL J. M. Sherman, of Cisco, Texas who was here several days last week, left Friday and before leaving stated to the Press that he was well satisfied with Wapanucka as a grain market and would return in a short time to begin the erection of a large roller mill and elevator. The mill will cost $12000 ad will be equipped with latest improved machinery. WATER QUESTION SETTLED R. C. Tate, manager of the round bale cotton gin at this place, stated to the Press man Monday, that Wapaucka has all the water possible to use. Monday they made a test on their new well, 60 feet deep and after drawing 2000 gallons of water had only lowered it 12 feet and could not lower any more. The water stands about 30 feet under ordinary usage. BUILDING ACTIVITY The resistless pulse of Greater Wapanucka, has slipped a cog on the wheels of progress and thumps again as it did last winter. As was predicted activity in the building line has returned and on every side the melodious tune of the saw, hammer and stone mason’s mallet greets the ear with as sweet notes as ever Siren sung. Dr. Taylor on Monday began to haul the stone for his building on Choctaw Avenue. He also informed us the postoffice would soon have a new home. Stattler & Summitt of Byrne have commenced on their two story stone at the corner of Choctaw and Fifth. F. M. Jackson has his stone building nearly completed and W. N. Barker’s two new stone buildings only lack painting of being ready for occupancy. W. L. Richards is pushing his skyward ready for occupancy by time contract calls for. Dr. Loomis has preparations made and will commence at once to build one of the finest and costliest residences in the city on his property on north Choctaw. E. R. Carnahan’s building is progressing nicely on Main Street. S. H. Musgrave has rented the M. P. Skeen building on Main Street and will move in as soon as the fixtures are put in. The Ardmore one price cash store seems to be “coming.” Ernest Whitmore of the Lehigh Leader, was in the city last week visiting Oscar Jones. Ern says Lehigh has awakened and that several stone and brick buildings are being erected. Harry Byres is spending the week in Lehigh and his brother is here in his place. Mr. and Mrs. Scott of Bells, Texas, brother-in-law to F. N. Jahan, are in the city this week. A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT WOODVILLE, I. T. Ardmore: Fire at Woodville destroyed Bell & Jolly’s Drug Store, F. R. Wilson’s Confectionery and the City Drug Store, three buildings owned by A. B. Beard. A vacant building of Jackson Bros. also burned. The fire originated in the Bell & Jolly Drug Store and started from a lamp explosion. The estimated loss is $9,000, with only $950 insurance, which was on Bell & Jolly’s stock. V. W. Boyte and family, who have been visiting in the city for a couple of weeks, left for their home in Pauls Valley, Monday. Mr. Boyte is manager of the round bale gin at that place. LOCAL ITEMS W. T. Pounds returned from a trip to Sulphur Friday. J. L. Bayne and wife went down to Milburn Monday. Col. R. McLish and wife were in the city Tuesday. Dr. McRae was in the city from Ego Saturday, A. A. Renegar of Memphis, brother to Dr. Renegar, arrived in town Tuesday. A. J. Addington returned from a business trip to Kansas City Monday. William Dunn, the prominent cattle man living near Atoka was in the city Monday. Manager Thompson of the Pauls Valley Enterprise was in the city one day last week. George White of Center, is in the city visiting his uncle B. F. Stroud of the Palace Drug Store. D. Kennedy has returned from a trip to Dallas, Fort Worth and other Texas points. J. H. Long, a prominent saw mill man of Viola, was doing business in the city Tuesday. W. N. Shofneer of the City Drug Store, has completed his residence in the new addition and moved in this week. Vernie Ray of Conway, Arkansas, has accepted a position as pitcher with the Wapanucka ball team. The team is to play the winning nine at Pontotoc picnic this week. R. E. Wade, president of the Farmers National Bank of Wapanucka, writes he is having a fine time visiting his friends in Iowa. He will return in a few weeks. Mrs. Peoples, after a pleasant visit at the hospitable home of Mrs. A. G. Addington west of the city has returned to her home at Ardmore. Mrs. J. C. Maurer of Boggy Depot, accompanied Mrs. Dr. Loomis home from the reunion at Ardmore and spent a few days visiting in the city. Misses Eathel Nail and Dixie Taylor of Durant, left for their home Tuesday, after a few days visit with the former sister, Mrs. Bert Robertson. Bud Johnson and family will move to Coalgate in the near future, where Mr. Johnson will take charge of W. Z. Gibson’s confectionery at that place. W. T. Pound is buying stock and getting ready to open a shoe and gent’s furnishing store in this city. He expects to be ready for business about the 1st of September. The following Wapanucka attended the big ball game at Lehigh Sunday: Stroud, Juhan, Jack Nixon, Wilburn Montgomery, Eli Roberts, Alex Musgrave, Ralf, Oscar Jones, Earnest and Fred Taylor. J. M. Floyd, of Ardmore, was in the city Tuesday prospecting with a view of putting in a grain elevator here. Mr. Floyd is one of the proprietors of the Ardmore roller mill, and he wants to handle the Wapanucka wheat. CHARGED WITH 3 MURDERS Man Who Killed His Wife, Mother-in-law and a Man Gives Himself Up South McAlester: John Reeves, charged with killing his wife, her mother, Mrs. Grant and D. C. Knuckles, a cattleman of Mena, Arkansas, at Stringtown, has been arrested and is now in jail. After the killing Reeves escaped to the mountains. He sent word to the federal officials that he would surrender. They went to the spot named and found the man. Reeves is thought to be insane. He has been acting strangely, and the tragedy was without apparent cause. W. N. Barker returned from Shawnee last week where he had been attending to his potatoes. He did very well with them and says potatoes are a profitable crop. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.html